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Dembele v Smythe 13:14 - Nov 27 with 2320 viewsandrew1302

For me i just don't see how Dembele gets in , in front of Smythe. Others will no doubt disagree but i can't see Dembele makes meaningful contributions during a game. The odd darting run which generally results in v little. Smythe has his weaknesses but the guy always harries, chases and makes differences. Personally don't understand it.
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Dembele v Smythe on 13:18 - Nov 27 with 2271 viewsnick_hammersmith

Based off last night, they have both upped their game, so maybe competition for places is a good thing?
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Dembele v Smythe on 13:18 - Nov 27 with 2260 viewsNed_Kennedys

Up until the last couple of games I’d have agreed with you but Dembele has improved and is making a bigger impact. Improved defensively which was a huge weakness.
Smyth is a stronger impact sub as well.
It’s good to have competition for places.
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Dembele v Smythe on 13:22 - Nov 27 with 2224 viewsLogman

I think Dembele is a bit nimbler which goes well at the start when games are tighter. Smyth's slightly more rugged style is better when the game is a bit more stretched. They both have their plus points though. Horses for courses and that ....
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Dembele v Smythe on 13:54 - Nov 27 with 2134 viewsTheChef

Smyth.

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Dembele v Smythe on 13:58 - Nov 27 with 2103 viewsaston_hoop

I know Smyth is man of the moment, but its not even close ability-wise between those 2 and Julien knows this. I think the best thing JS has done is realise the best use of Smyth - 15/20 minutes to go against a tiring team who lack a bit of confidence and could do without someone running at them. You start Smyth and I guarantee you, against fresh legs, he'll go back to doing the running until he falls over thing and shanking crosses and long range shots away. Dembele is constantly looking to play killer balls, he beats players, his crossing is decent and he looks sharper each game. At 22 years old, Dembele really is one to develop and as a development club, this is where we need to be. Paul Smyth is 28 and won't have a big move in him now, in fact I doubt he'd have another Championship move in him if we let him go. I'd stick with things as they are. He's great to have as that impact sub and long may it continue

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Dembele v Smythe on 14:01 - Nov 27 with 2091 viewsbosh67

I'd love to see Paul sig a new contract. He makes a big difference either starting or from the bench and he is loved by fans here. Why move unless he feels he needs a change? Definitely a player I would be looking to lock down again asap.

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Dembele v Smythe on 14:09 - Nov 27 with 2028 viewsQPROslo

Smyth scores, Dembele doesn't, or not lately. But absolutely no problem with using Smyth as sub.
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Dembele v Smythe on 14:13 - Nov 27 with 2004 viewsJamesB1979

We should use both! It’s a long old season!
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Dembele v Smythe on 14:18 - Nov 27 with 1984 viewsMyke

Is the fact that he hasn't signed a new contract a factor in not starting I wonder? I think there are games when he is more important than Dembele, like when the oppo have tricky wingers and he can give Dunne a dig out at RB. But this might not be such an issue with the mad lad. Love that is last two goals have been headers - took it beautifully last night.
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Dembele v Smythe on 16:15 - Nov 27 with 1769 viewsVancouverHoop

Dembele v Smythe on 14:13 - Nov 27 by JamesB1979

We should use both! It’s a long old season!


Well quite. It's a long season so rotating small, speedy forwards like Dembélé, Saito, Smyth and Poku makes sense. Trying to maintain pressure for 90 minutes using only two of them won't work short or long term.
[Post edited 27 Nov 16:16]
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Dembele v Smythe on 16:19 - Nov 27 with 1745 viewsNorthernr

Smyth's a very, very good impact sub against tired defenders, as we saw last night.
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Dembele v Smythe on 16:33 - Nov 27 with 1650 viewsLazyFan

They didn't do it as much last night.

But the tactic is when we have the ball on the right Dembele moves infield at the number 10 position. MB moves up the right flank to play wingback and Dunne moves in behind to cover if they lose the ball.

Dembele here is very effective and its his real position running at defenders from the middle (not the wing). He really stretched Hull, but not so much against Blackburn

What I did notice is that he's running back a little more and even got some defensive tackles in. That helped out massively in the second half. But after 60 mins hes blowing. So, needs to work on his fitness as well.

Smyth looked great against very tired Blackburn legs, we should have got him on earlier. Smyth is a solid pro and I bet JS starts him next game.

zzzzzzzzzz

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Dembele v Smythe on 16:50 - Nov 27 with 1556 viewsSunnyVanGo

Smyth was really good at the ugly side of the game generally and last night too.
Getting his body between player and ball. He wins a lot of marginal free kicks.
Massively important when managing a 0-1 lead with time running down.
I bet he’s hard work playing against.
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Dembele v Smythe on 17:44 - Nov 27 with 1399 viewsWestonsuperR

I was really excited by the Dembele signing, even more so after his first appearance vs Sheff Utd but been largely disappointed since. The improvement from Dembele was in the last few is significant, would just like to see that end product and more tracking back.

It’s a tough one as Smyth is clearly limited but hard to leave out when he performs like last night. Nice problem for JS to have.
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Dembele v Smythe on 18:14 - Nov 28 with 979 viewsBklynRanger

I bloody love Smyth, but that was the right way to play the two against that opposition.

Saying that I'd still like to see Julie look at games when starting Smyth makes more sense - generally when we really need more defensive cover to avoid getting bummed in the gob.

As said it comes down to playing Dembele more often so his form and confidence improves and he's more of a Spreadsheet-Asset as the people upstairs might say. He's not that athletic but does throw up some lovely bits of skill at times - have a look at that ridiculously bent ball to Chair near the beginning of the extended highlights. I haven't seen that since Ale played in Adel.
[Post edited 28 Nov 18:15]
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Dembele v Smythe on 19:48 - Nov 28 with 858 viewsPlanetHonneywood

Smyth 7th round TKO.

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Dembele v Smythe on 01:16 - Nov 29 with 648 viewsnumptydumpty

Smyth whem he starts is often disappointing and occasionally anonymous.

I think as a sub he is often brilliant.

Dembele scored a couple of fantastic hits in preseason and the last few games, he has impressed. More strength, decent in the tackle and more of a threat.

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